Azerbaijani journalist's death requires investigation

New York, November 23, 2011-- The demise of freelance
journalist Rafiq Tagi in a Baku hospital today following his stabbing four days
ago by unknown assailants, must be fully investigated, said the Committee to
Protect Journalists.

"We mourn the death of Rafiq Tagi and our hearts go out to
his family and friends," CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina
Ognianova said. "Azerbaijani authorities must thoroughly investigate the
stabbing attack that led to Tagi's demise and bring all responsible to
justice."

Tagi was known for his criticism of Azerbaijani authorities,
the government's policy on Iran, and what he viewed as the negative impact of
the popularization of Islam on his country's development. CPJ
research shows that journalists in Azerbaijan regularly face reprisals for
their reporting.